WASHINGTON – In picking a running mate, John McCain needs someone young to offset his own petrification.

He needs someone to help him geographically and someone with a strong domestic résumé to possibly ease those concerned that McCain once said in public he doesn’t really understand the economy as well as he should.

The choice should be historic if Republicans want to get in on the excitement over Barack Obama‘s breaking down racial barriers.

Oh, and the guy has to be a ferocious fund-raiser to make up for McCain’s pathetic performance in this area. (Obama has outraised McCain 3 to 1.)

The perfect fit is a congressman little known outside political circles but highly admired by political heavyweights and bankrollers in key states.

Eric Cantor, 45, is from Virginia, which is one of the top red states on Obama’s list to pick off.

The fourth-highest-ranking Republican in the House, Cantor is credited with some of the Republicans’ more sensible legislative efforts, such as applying market-based reforms to government programs and clamping down on the willy-nilly issuing of driver’s licenses that gave cover to the 9/11 terrorists for so long.

He is well liked by GOP colleagues, many of whom are far from eager to support McCain because of his bombastic nature and past dalliances with Democrats.

The only Jewish Republican in the House, Cantor has developed powerful connections in key states such as Florida. For his own re-election this year, Cantor has raised more than $100,000 from donors in Florida and another $100,000 from donors in New York and another $100,000 from Obama’s home state of Illinois.

Asked to raise $21 million for House Republicans in 2006, Cantor hauled in $30 million. He is the single most prolific Republican fund-raiser in the House of Representatives.

Picking Cantor means that even if McCain loses, he will have passed the torch to a younger generation of Republicans that voters might not find quite so embarrassing.

Cantor, of course, declined to speculate, but said yesterday, “I am privileged to be a representative for the 7th District of Virginia and I am focused on my re-election.”